BROOKLYN, NY — An ongoing rezoning project in downtown Brooklyn includes new high-rises, a park, and art installations — including one specifically designed to honor the area’s abolitionist history.

Some neighbors and activists want to ensure that the struggles of those involved in the anti-slavery movement are directly represented. The city’s economic development corporation commissioned the artist. Currently, a public outreach is planned to gather feedback from the community.

“The goal of public programming is to hear different communities explain how they make sense of abolitionist pasts, abolitionist present, and abolitionist future,” writes the artist on the project site.

The artist also offered to connect directly with people interested in the work. The plan, according to information from NYC Cultural Affairs, is to feature engraved text throughout the open space and a freestanding structure inspired by the area’s abolitionist history.

The organization Friends of the abolitionist place fought to prevent the demolition of a nearby building that dates back to the days of the Underground Railroad. It achieved landmark status last year.

“We want to make sure that it really serves to enlighten and inform about the abolitionist movement. How dangerous it was and how brave these people were,” Shawné Lee said.